A review by asourceoffiction
Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey

dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I committed the cardinal sin of watching the film before reading the book with Elizabeth is Missing. Both are beautiful, but I'm sure knowing how things ended up skewed my perspective on a lot of the story. It didn't diminish how clever the writing is, or how sensitively Maud is portrayed in the book.

The flashbacks are so vividly described, as Maud's present becomes increasingly blurry. You can see her timelines begin to merge as her disease progresses, and it's heartbreaking to feel so helpless for her. This has strong Three Things About Elsie vibes, but it feels like there less humour to be found here.

The characters and the mysteries posed throughout are utterly engaging but this really wrenches at the heart strings. There is love, and even hope, scattered throughout, but ultimately you know poor Maud is trapped. 
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